Fighting "sticker shock"

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-27-2004
Fighting "sticker shock"
6
Sat, 07-17-2004 - 7:44pm

I find myself periodically gritting my teeth at the cost of some of the foods I'm buying for this program.

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-16-2004
Sun, 07-18-2004 - 10:31am
I agree Mary :)

 

  Shawna

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-17-2004
Sun, 07-18-2004 - 12:39pm
Ladyirish - first, let me tell you..my keyboard doesn't have a "cent" sign either! I just noticed!

Second, I agree with you. Sometimes eating better does cost more. But as for fresh fruits and veges (I think there was a thread on this not too long ago) but I try to find farmers markets and such. Everything seems to be much more inexpensive and alot fresher. You can also try a Costco, Sam's Club or BJ's (all the same). But you need a membership for those and sometimes it's worth the $30 fee.

Also, depending on the area you are in, you can also try an Asian market. We have a few of them around here and produce - veges and fruit - are the cheapest I've ever seen and you also may find some varieties of things you can't find elsewhere to liven up your menu!

Just a few thoughts...but congrats to you on all your hard work! You're doing great!

Kerry

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2004
Mon, 07-19-2004 - 12:22pm
Hi Mary,

I don't know what "program" you're referring to, what way of eating you've chosen (?) but eating healthy doesn't have to cost a whole lot of money.It's just a matter of incremental good choices. If the figs cost to much, then there are other fruits...right? It's all a matter of choice, apples or oranges, figs or whatever. And I wouldn't look at it as a matter of "spending too much," so much as I would look at it as making good decisions on a daily basis.

I just eat the good stuff: mostly fresh fruits and veggies, some fish, cheese, milk products generally, once in a while some meat or an egg. You know, just ordinary food. BTW our grocery has bags of fresh figs this week for $3.99 (but they also break down the packages, giving smaller quantities if you ask). Over the weekend, one breakfast included canteloupe wrapped in procuitto and some fresh figs and stawberries on the side. But since we only needed half dozen figs, I asked the produce manager to break down the package and sell me that many. Would that work for you?

forte

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2004
Mon, 07-19-2004 - 12:26pm
Kerry,

And sometimes Sams or Costco will give one day guest passes at the service desk, so she could purchase whatever on that day. I've had a problem with produce at Sams club though. It seems the stuff comes in on trucks that are too cold (or maybe the store fridge is too cold where it's stored) and that results in spoiled food as soon as I get it home.

Problem I have, I spend too much on food generally because I keep buying too much variety and it goes bad before we can eat it all. Something to work on, but I did it again this weekend!

forte

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-17-2004
Tue, 07-20-2004 - 1:45am
Forte - I agree there. I almost always spend too much in Costco for that very reason!

Oh, BTW, the home made peanut butter was divine! I couldn't rave about it any more. I will never go back to normal p.b. again! Thanx for the info!

Kerry

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2004
Tue, 07-20-2004 - 2:24pm
Hi Kerry,

I'm glad you liked the peanut butter! My only problem with that, when I make it, is making small-small batches only....in order not to *want* to eat too much. It's a world of difference, isn't it! Now, when you really want to splurge, get a bag of plain macademia nuts (at Sams it costs me under $10 for a big bag) and make macademia nut butter for a sandwich! DIVINE doesn't begin to say it all!!

If you've read many of my posts, you know that I've enjoyed learning some new things from the cooking channel. And one of my downfalls (in terms of buying too much food) is wanting to get the various things *on hand* to try out some of that. My fridge, freezer, and cupboards are overflowing. And, truth be told, since I eat wisely now....well, my eyes are MUCH bigger than my stomach when I go shopping....and I can't POSSIBLY use up all the stuff I keep buying. I need to learn NOT to buy out the whole store! Yesterday, it was Greek food!

forte